What's new, good on gas, but fun to drive?

[Jesda]

"Smiles Per Gallon"

Extra points for being practical, comfortable, spacious, and/or cheap to buy.

http://jesda.com/2011/03/25/comparing-c ... er-gallon/


So far I've come up with:

Infiniti G37 Sedan, $33k, 27mpg
Saab 9-3 2.0T Sedan, $29k, 31mpg
Subaru Impreza Wagon 2.5, $18k, 27mpg
Mini Cooper Base, $19400, 37mpg
Chrysler 300 V6, $27k, 27mpg
Volvo S60 T5, $31k, 30mpg
Miata Touring, $25k, 28mpg
Mustang V6, $27k, 31mpg


There's obviously used cars but then you aren't comparing apples to apples in terms of safety and condition.

[Bubba1]

Quite a variety of vehicles up there. Any car can put a smile on my face when pushed hard enough, but there are not that many modest priced new cars that would put a smile on my face in normal driving. The Miata and Mini Cooper S are two that do.

Some others that come to mind that might make me grin:


Hyundai Genesis Coupe V6
Subaru Impreza WRX (the STi might make me smile, but too expensive for your list)
VW Golf GTi
Acura TSX (only because from the driver seat, you can't see that ugly smiley grill)
Altima SE-R V6 6 speed.

I thought about the G37 but I think new ones are priced higher than $33K, which would knock them off your list.

[themadscientist]

Cappuccino!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwqsAd4TGWY[/youtube]

[snwbrdr435]

Honda CRZ

[Kompresshun]

Chevrolet Camaro V6, 314hp, 31mpg, around $23-25k
Fiat 500 Abarth, if we ever get one...

That's about all I can think of at the moment. I would buy one of the new Mustang or Camaro V6s for look and best all around package for myself. If I wanted small and nimble then I would go for the Miata.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Honda CRZ

Not one single review I've read has billed it as anything close to fun to drive. Most say it handles like dirt and is in dire need of power to match its battery-laden heft in addition to suffering from hybrid-numb-brake.

[naladude911]

audi a3

[Rev_D21]

QX4 with the Technics 1200 DJ Turntable package.

[Bubba1]

QX4 with the Technics 1200 DJ Turntable package.

...and with alteeza tail lights and a fresh urine smell??

[Rev_D21]

Honda CRZ

Not one single review I've read has billed it as anything close to fun to drive. Most say it handles like dirt and is in dire need of power to match its battery-laden heft in addition to suffering from hybrid-numb-brake.

I have read similar stories about poor handling. GRM says with a proper suspension tuning it would be a fun car.

[MellowZ32]

No Ford Fiesta?

[Dattebayo]

No Ford Fiesta?

It's not that great to drive. I took one out last week, it was kinda yawn.

[driverdriver]

Not sold in the US yet. Mercedes B200, $30K, gets 34-35 MPG in non sport mode(higer in fuel economy mode). Its a fwd vehicle that drives like a rwd vehicle. Steering feel, ride, quality of materials and comfort are Mercedes excellent.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

What about the Korean up and comers?
The Kizashi seems like good cheap fun car.

[dasoupdude]

Jesda no like Infiniti G25?

[MellowZ32]

Viper SRT-10?

[Jesda]

Jesda no like Infiniti G25?

I forget it exists. The G37 is such a good deal at $33k that I never thought of it.

[orangeNblue]

2012 Ford Focus should be pretty nice....
The mustang and fusion drive excellent as well

The new lexus hatch seems really nice as well

[Jesda]

I forgot about the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Its just okay to drive, but 41mpg city in a luxury car for $37k is pretty impressive, and they fixed the ugly interior. I'm sure some suspension mods (same chassis as Fusion and Mazda 6) would tighten it up a bit.


Also, Mazda 3

[MinisterofDOOM]

Jesda no like Infiniti G25?

I forget it exists. The G37 is such a good deal at $33k that I never thought of it.

The SOLE point of the G25 is to undercut the stupidly-overpriced IS250.

[IanS]

Husqvarna SM610 SuperMoto, or TE610 Enduro.

Cheap, fun, comfy, and reliable, plus the gas mileage is unbeatable.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

What about the Civic Si? Sure you sort of have to push it to really get performance out of it, but it sips fuel and actually IS a pretty good driving vehicle.

[Bubba1]

Husqvarna SM610 SuperMoto, or TE610 Enduro.

Cheap, fun, comfy, and reliable, plus the gas mileage is unbeatable.

Not as much fun or comfy commuting in bad or cold weather...

[Fenris]

My 2011 WRX gets an average 25-29mpg mixed on SNOWS. I cant wait to put summers back on...

Wicked handy as a parts/gear/people hauler. I fit in my own back seat, and im 6'4" 280#.
Comes with a fancy to me radio that supports bluetooth for pandora streaming. AWD, fast, fun.

I got a limited which added sunroof, leather, HIDS, all weather kit, and fog lights. Came to about 28k for me.

[krimsonviper]

Also, Mazda 3

[numbnuts240]

fresh urine smell??

super limited edition add-on. jesda doesn't meet the requirements.

[Kompresshun]

Also, Mazda 3

Mazda 3's suck KV, buy a better car

I really secretly want a 3, but the wife doesn't like hatchbacks and I don't like the sedans, so i'll stick to something larger. They are a lot of fun to drive though.

[krimsonviper]

[frapjap]

Volvo V50 and S40